Defence of the Suez Canal

Supply depot
Suez 1915

The divisions forward ofthe Canal were supplied from the depots by light rail and pipeline. Submarine HMAS A2 is passing through in the background.

Light railway operated by 11 Coy supporting 2nd Division positions forward of the Suez Canal, February 1916

1st and 2nd Divisions prepared defensive positions supported by rail, road and pipeline to the brigade areas. They were taken over by 4th and 5th Divisions and then abandoned in favour of a forward defence which burgeoned into the Palestine Campaign. 11 Coy's Railway Supply Detachment operated the forward rail links, having also partly filled this role at Anzac.

Australian War Memorial P03093.001, JOO923, G01491

 

 

Support of Sinai Defence in Depth

Horsed transport could not operate over distances in the sand. Beyond railhead, coastal shipping and camel trains bridged to gap to forward units.
With limited wells, water for animals and men was a major factor.

Battle of Romani 1916

Railhead Romani

Forward supply depot

 

 

 

Railhead water tanks

Camel water train forward

Australian War Memorial P01309.022, B02491, J03183, C04416

 

 

 

Deep Penetration Forces

 

 

Building rail extension

Landing supplies by boat

 

 

 

 

 

Railhead forage depot

1 LH Bde Supply Section

 

 

 

 

 

 

Camel train convoy to 3 LH Bde

 

Australian War Memorial J00927, H02833, H13696, B02489,
C00288

Defence of Egypt